More calories will be consumed on Super Bowl Sunday than on any other day of the year aside from Thanksgiving. Millions of people will enjoy the big game in the company of friends, family and an endless array of high-calorie foods such as chips, dips, cookies, candies, hot dogs, hamburgers and numerous other temptations.

Due to the huge variety of these high-calorie (often highly addictive) food choices combined with a celebratory environment, the temptation to overeat is heightened and many people will find themselves regretting their eating behavior as soon as the post-game coverage begins.

Dr. Scott Lewis, a clinical hypnotherapist, chiropractor and author of THE HYPNOSIS TREATMENT OPTION (Copper Ridge Press, January 2013, $17.95 trade paper, ISBN: 978-1-938636-09-7), guides people in making simple changes to their eating habits using psychological principles and self-hypnosis.

Lewis offers four “Mind Tricks” that will let you enjoy the big game without consuming big amounts of calories:

1.Limit Variety—Studies have shown that the more choices of snacks people have in front of them, the more calories they eat. Choose one or two favorite foods and stick with them.

2. Leave Evidence—It’s easy to forget how much food you’ve consumed. Studies show that people eat less when they leave visible reminders of what they’ve eaten. So to curb consumption, leave the chicken wing bones, peanut shells, soda pop cans and candy wrappers in view.

3. Go Small—Research has shown that the larger the plates people eat from, the more calories they consume. An easy trick to decrease calorie consumption is to use smaller-sized plates. Using smaller-sized utensils has been shown to lead to decreased calorie consumption as well.

4. Use Self-Hypnosis—Numerous studies have proven hypnosis to be effective in changing behaviors, perceptions, emotions and sensations. Once 41 pounds overweight himself as a result of bingeing on chips, ice cream and soda, Lewis used self-hypnosis to lose the excess weight and keep it off for over 26 years. Self-hypnosis can help eliminate “mindless eating” by helping you focus on what you’re eating with statements such as “I eat only until my food stops tasting absolutely delicious,” “I am aware of the sensations in my stomach and stop eating as soon as I feel full” and “I eat like a gourmet, savoring all the flavors in my food.”

Dr. Lewis is an experienced and compelling media guest. His powerful techniques have appeared on The View, CBS News, FOX News Channel, Extra!, Inside Edition and many other programs throughout the world.

Here, Dr. Lewis answers the most common questions he receives about hypnosis from skeptics and people who have not yet learned about the field.

What Is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is simply a natural state of focus and concentration–similar to what you experience when watching a movie, reading a book or daydreaming.

Is Hypnosis Scientific?

Yes. Numerous research studies done by prestigious institutions have documented the use of hypnosis for a number of medical conditions. Impressive studies have been published in top medical journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association, Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine and many others throughout the world.

Who Can Be Hypnotized?

While not everybody can be hypnotized in a stage situation (due to a number of factors, including the distraction of being watched by an audience and the fear of being onstage), almost everybody can experience and use hypnosis for clinical benefits.

Can Children Be Hypnotized?

Yes. In fact, children often respond better than adults. Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of using hypnosis with children for a number of conditions.

What Are Hypnotic Suggestions?

Suggestions can be simple statements given during the hypnotic state that are designed to have an impact on a person’s thoughts, behaviors, perceptions and emotions. Examples of suggestions for weight loss are “You’ll eat less food and feel more satisfied” and “You will eat like a gourmet, chewing your food slowly and enjoying all the flavors and spices.”

How Does Hypnosis Work for Weight Loss?

The first way is through motivation. Experts state that the most important factor for changing any unwanted behavior (such as overeating) is having a strong personal reason for doing so. By using hypnosis, the benefits of losing weight are identified and intensified. The second way hypnosis works is through a number of suggestions that are given to affect eating behavior (for example, “You’ll eat only until your food stops tasting absolutely delicious”).

How Can Hypnosis Help People in Relationships?

Hypnosis has been proven to help people improve their sex lives and achieve higher self-confidence and rekindle positive emotions. Dr. Lewis says, “Hypnosis cannot be used to force a person to do something that is really against their will or basic desires. It can be used, however, to change the way people look at their habits and steer them to choices that impact their health, relationships.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Lewis is a clinical hypnotherapist and chiropractor who has devoted over 25 years to educating people about hypnosis and using hypnosis to help patients. Dr. Lewis lectures to thousands of people each year and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs throughout the world. He works with corporations, helping their employees stop smoking, lose weight, reduce stress and achieve better health through hypnosis and self-hypnosis techniques. He is also an accomplished performer, having headlined in his own hypnosis show at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas for over nine years. Dr. Lewis is an experienced media guest with years of media experience. He has appeared on television shows such as Extra, Inside Edition and VH1’s My Antonio. His talents can be incorporated into live or taped programming by arrangement as well.

Winner will receive private pastry lesson, dinner for two and hotel stay, plus a $150 Pick ’n Save gift card; 500 cookies to be donated to local charity

Calling all bakers! Do your friends and family beg you each year to bake up a batch of your signature holiday cookies? Well, Marcus Restaurants wants to sample them, too!

Marcus Hotels & Resorts is asking the public to share their best cookie recipes during its 4th Annual Milwaukee’s Favorite Cookie Contest. Now through Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, at 11:59 p.m., the public is invited to submit their favorite cookie recipe by going online to the Marcus Restaurants Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/marcusrestaurants, clicking on the tab labeled “Cookie Contest” and entering to win. Marcus Restaurants’ culinary experts will sift through the entries, considering overall impression, uniqueness, creativity, and consumer appeal, and crown one recipe as Milwaukee’s Favorite Cookie 2012.

The Marcus culinary team will then bake the winning cookie recipe and donate 500 of the tasty treats to Hope House (www.hopehousemke.org), a local emergency and transitional living facility. This is the second year Hope House has received the cookie donation.

“We are delighted to receive this wonderful donation again,” said Ken Schmidt, Executive Director. “Our guests just loved the cookies last year. Even a gift so seemingly simple as cookies can make a big impact around the holidays.”

Marcus Restaurants’ partner, Roundy’s, will be supplying all of the containers the cookies will be packed in for delivery. The winning cookie also will be featured during the month of January 2013 in Marcus’ Milwaukee restaurants, Mason Street Grill, [email protected] and Milwaukee ChopHouse.